My eyes slowly opened, allowing the bright light to fill my sight. For a split second, I thought that everything was a dream, and I was either back at college as myself, or trapped at the bottom of a cliff as Cadance.
But when I fully opened my eyes and scanned the room, it immediately struck me that this was all real.
"Ugh..." I rubbed my head. At least my wing felt better...
Speaking of which, I opened the appendage, which was no longer restrained to my body, and rubbed it with my hooves.
It felt weird, but I felt no pain.
So my encounter with Cadance last night was also real...
And the fact that my wing was better was a good thing. Because now I can get out of here and figure out a way to return home.
I looked around for something to buzz the nurse in. To my convenience, there was a button. I pressed it, put it down, and waited.
I then mulled over my thoughts of all my encounters. I felt Cadance was more open to me than Twilight. But as she said (or wrote), Twilight doesn't trust me. At least... we don't think. Plus, Cadance probably knows every thought and memory inside my head.
And the more I thought of it, the more I questioned Twilight's motives.
If she knows I'm some guy who isn't suitable enough to care for a family and a kingdom, why make me do it? Is it because, again, she doesn't trust me? Is she testing me? Or is she trying to cover things up? The last one, in its own way, is debatable, as it depends on her motives.
If we meet again, I'm telling her my thoughts. She didn't give me much tasks and information to work with, so I'll need to pry it out of her.
Until then, Cadance is my go-to source if I can't handle things or make decisions. Seems unlikely, but it's possible.
Just then, the door opened.
"Hey," I greeted.
"Hello," the nurse replied warmly. "You buzzed?"
"Yeah, I just need you to check out my wing... it's feeling better."
I opened my wing.
How am I doing that? I didn't even train myself on it... I pondered.
"Did you remove the bandages last night?" the nurse asked.
"Well... yes," I answered. "But only because my wing was better at the time."
What? I wasn't going to tell her of my encounter with Cadance.
"Well... you opened the wing without pain..." the nurse muttered. "Let me feel..."
The nurse went over and massaged her hooves around my wing. Again... it felt weird having an appendage on my back, especially when it was being touched.
"Amazing..." she muttered. "How did a fractured wing like that heal so fast?!"
"Ummm... healing spell?" I said. I technically wasn't lying.
"Huh... it makes sense. You had a concussion, and when you were fully recovered, you healed your wing."
I nodded. Now that was a lie.
"Well alright then..." the nurse turned to leave. "If you're wing is better and you've fully recovered, I think it's safe to say that you may return home."
"Really?! That's great!"
"We'll just need to fill a few things out with you and you're family, and then you're good to go."
"That's fine," I say, sporting a smile that was sort of fake, and sort of real.
"I'll be back," the nurse said before leaving the room and closing the door.
I exhaled and leaned my head back on the pillow.
I was finally going to get out of here. And once I do, I'm going to figure out how to get back home, while also dealing with the weight of caring for a family and a kingdom.
Because apparently, according to Twilight, that's my only option...
Later...
I finally stepped out of the hospital, with Shining Armor and Flurry Heart behind me. When I took a few more steps away from the building, I scanned my very shiny surroundings.
"It's nice to be back here... isn't it?" I heard Shining ask from behind me.
I didn't turn to look at him. But I did nod in response.
"Y-yeah."
"Are you ok?" Shining questioned.
"I'm fine. It just..." I took a deep breath. "... feels weird to be back."
More like it feels weird to be here in general.
"I understand that you probably went through a lot when you were gone," Shining said, now walking beside me.
"You have no idea..."
An idea went through my head.
"Any chance I could stop by the library?" I asked.
"I don't see why not," Shining shrugged. "But I suggest you make yourself at home and let everypony know you're back, first."
Well shit... I groaned in my head. I guess it wouldn't hurt to wait a bit longer. I pretty much have all the time in the world, so I have no need to be in a hurry.
"Yes, that's what needs to be done first," I agreed, giving out another fake smile.
"And Flurry's also been dying to play with you."
I turned my gaze to the child also walking beside me now.
"Can we play later?" she asked.
Well... I couldn't say no to her. She missed her mother, who I have become, and I can't say no to a child who's now my daughter. Even though I've never had a child that ends up becoming mine.
"Sure sweetie." I rubbed her head, ignoring the fact that I was still walking on three legs.
Sweetie? Well... you gotta match a loving mother the best you can, after all...
As we continued speaking, and the castle began to get closer, I began to ponder on what would happen next.
How difficult will it be to watch over a kingdom or do Princess-duties when the moments come? How difficult will it be to watch a child? How long until I encounter Princess Twilight again?
And when I announce my return to the Crystal Empire, should I risk causing panic and say who I really am?
An answer began to form in my mind not long after I thought of that question.
No.